THE HISTORY OF OUR ORGANIZATION
The GFWC Maryland Federation of Women's Clubs, Inc.
The GFWC Maryland Federation of Women's Clubs, Inc. has a long and exemplary history. While no one is entirely sure which club was organized first, the MD clubs started forming around 1872 in the Baltimore area. In October of 1899 several of these clubs met with the idea of forming a state federation. In December of 1899 a constitution was adopted. There were 19 Charter Clubs. The first annual meeting of the MD Federation was held in March of 1900 in the Baltimore area and in April of 1900 MFWC was admitted to the General Federation of Women's Clubs.
The History of GFWC
TThe General Federation of Women's Clubs was founded in 1890 but traces its roots back to 1868 when an accomplished newspaperwoman, Jane Cunningham Croly, was denied admittance to a banquet honoring Charles Dickens at the all-male New York Press Club. She organized an all-woman club (Sorosis) and held another banquet honoring Mr. Dickens. The Sorosis Club members soon learned of other women's clubs and proposed a conference. In 1889 the delegates from 61 clubs met in New York City and the new constitution and organizational plans were adopted in 1890. The US Congress chartered the GFWC in 1901. The national headquarters is now located in Washington, DC. See the organization's web site at www.gfwc.org for more information
.
Community Service Program Areas
1. Arts and Culture
The GFWC Arts and Culture Community Service Program promotes and supports art and cultural programs in communities nationwide, and works to expand understanding on every level, from local and regional to national and international. Our goal is to create projects that include crafts, dance, drama, food, music, and other manifestations of art and culture that develop skills, awareness, and appreciation. It is designed to inspire and ignite a desire to make the world a more beautiful, thoughtful, and caring place
Arts & Culture Page on GFWC Website
2. Civic Engagement & Outreach
The GFWC Civic Engagement and Outreach Community Service Program reminds us that each of us is part of a larger society and is responsible for undertaking actions that will create a better quality of life and foster a sense of community – locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. This CSP features programming focused on citizenship; crime prevention, safety, and disaster preparedness; those in need, food insecure, and unhoused; and our military personnel and veterans. Collectively GFWC addresses issues of public concern.
Civic Engagement & Outreach Page on GFWC Website
3. Environment
GFWC recognizes the importance of preserving our world environment for the generations to come. In fact, it is a program area near and dear to the GFWC ethos in that when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Executive Order creating the unified National Park System in June 1933, GFWC members played an integral role on the frontlines in their communities advocating for the protection and preservation of lands for public use and recreation. One hundred years later, GFWC continues to champion environmental issues at the local, state, national, and international levels. GFWC’s Environment Community Service Program specifically focuses on the beautification, cleanup, preservation, and enrichment of the natural resources and landscapes in communities.
Environment Page on GFWC Website
4. Education & Libraries
Since its inception, GFWC has advocated passionately for the advancement of women and children through education. Education is the one thing that has the potential to level the playing field for all Americans. Every community in every state and region of the country is impacted. According to the American Library Association, GFWC is credited with founding approximately 474 free public libraries and 4,655 traveling libraries. Supporting local libraries continues to be one of GFWC’s priorities today. GFWC promotes education for both children and adults. Projects in the Education and Libraries Community Service Program are designed to foster schools and other educational institutions and opportunities, and promote libraries, literacy, and reading good books. Through these efforts, we encourage the growth of individuals and communities at home and around the world.
Education & Libraries Page on GFWC Website
5. Health & Wellness
One of the core tenets of living the American Dream is the “pursuit of happiness.” As people endeavor to achieve happiness, one’s personal health and wellness are paramount. In the 1970s, Dr. Bill Hettler introduced the “Wellness Wheel” as a principle for living a healthier, fuller, and better life by consciously paying attention to the importance of balancing aspects of our lives. The Six Dimensions of Wellness consists of emotional, occupational, physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual.
Health & Wellness Page on GFWC Website
Special Programs
1. GFWC Signature Program: Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention
The goal of the GFWC Signature Program is to increase awareness of and help prevent the widespread occurrence of domestic and sexual violence abuse in communities across the nation.
Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Page
2. GFWC Juniors’ Special Program: Advocates for Children
The GFWC Juniors Special Program: Advocates for Children works to make a difference in the life of a child by being an advocate, a voice for children, and to teach and encourage parents, caregivers, and others in the community to advocate for children at the grassroots level. Children depend on the advocacy of others, especially their parents and caregivers, to protect and promote their interests. GFWC advocates for children by working to: • Ensure that they are protected from harmful situations. • Encourage healthy physical and emotional lifestyles. • Impact policy to improve children’s lives.
back to top